Introduction: The increase observed in the size of the elderly population is related to an increase in the average life span. Involutional changes in the human body concern all organs and systems. Multiple morbidities, to a considerable extent, contribute to the limitation of motor fitness. Recently, a change has been noted in the age of patients hospitalized in rehabilitation departments. The majority of these patients are aged over 60, and are admitted due to aggravation of polyarticular pain, arterial hypertension, problems with knee or hip joints (degeneration, pain), ischemic heart disease, or degenerative polyarthritis. Hospitalization in the rehabilitation department contributes to the improvement in their state of health.

Aim of the research: The objective of the study was to analyse the causes of hospitalization and functional fitness of patients hospitalized in the Rehabilitation Department at the Regional Polyclinical Hospital in Kielce.

Material and methods: The study included 102 patients of the Rehabilitation Department at the Regional Polyclinical Hospital in Kielce, 79 female and 23 male, mean age 72.6.

Results: The majority of patients (74%) were admitted to the department with the diagnosis of aggravation of polyarticular pain, followed by arterial hypertension (as many as 64%), problems concerning knee and hip joints (degeneration, pain), ischemic heart disease, and polyarticular changes.

Conclusions: Patients aged over 60 comprised the largest group in the study, and the dominant causes of hospitalization were aggravation of pain and arterial hypertension.